Former cop pleads guilty to child porn charges

Steve Futral showed no emotion when he stood in front of the court and admitted to five separate charges of downloading child porn.

The judge asked Futral to tell him exactly what he did and Futral responded, "I downloaded videos with underage girls in it."

Futral was scheduled to stand trial Monday, but District Attorney Tony Lawrence said after much back and forth with Futral and his attorney the ex officer accepted a last minute plea deal.

"We are very happy in a case like that we can get resolved without the expense to the county," Futral said. "County cases cost a lot of money to prosecute and we also think it's a good resolution, we are satisfied that he is a convicted felon."

The former police lieutenant was arrested in May of 2010 after child porn was found on his home computer, days later Futral was arrested again and fired after investigators found child porn on his police issued laptop.

Ocean Springs Police Deputy Chief Mark Dunston said Friday, "The crime he committed was reprehensible and we disowned him a long time ago."

Futral must now register as a sex offender and faces five to 40 years in prison for each count but the more likely sentence is what the district attorney recommended, a total of 25 years with no chance of parole.

"We are glad the case is resolved and he is a convicted felon as of today," Lawrence said.

Futral now lives in Starkville and his lawyer asked to have sentencing delayed so Futral's family there and friends from his church in Ocean Springs could speak on his behalf, and the judge agreed.

Futral will be sentenced November 9th and until then, he remains free on a $100,000 bond.